DENVER — The Denver Public Schools Board of Education has nominated an interim superintendent.
The board announced Wednesday that Dwight Jones, senior deputy superintendent for equity, will serve in the position through July 2021.
The board is expected to vote on Jones’ nomination on Dec. 17. If approved, he will begin on Jan. 1.
Jones will take over for Susana Cordova, who announced last month she was leaving for a job in Dallas. She accepted a position in Dallas Independent School District as the Deputy Superintendent of Leading and Learning.
Cordova has spent 31 years within DPS. Denver Board of Education members unanimously selected Cordova to lead Colorado’s largest school district in December 2018. She will continue in her current position until the end of the year.
DPS said Jones does not intend to seek the role beyond his time as interim. The board will meet on Dec. 9 to discuss a timeline for the superintendent search.
In a statement Wednesday, Mayor Michael Hancock, who called the DPS board "dysfunctional" and criticized some board members for opposing Cordova's "efforts at almost every turn," applauded the board for nominating Jones:
“I’m pleased to support the selection of Dwight Jones as interim Superintendent of Denver Public Schools. DPS needs a leader right now who understands and has strong relationships with the community and other stakeholders, and I believe Jones will be able to provide that leadership during this transition period. His deep experience in district administration, and his commitment to equity and student achievement, will be critical as DPS continues to navigate the pandemic, remote learning and the eventual return to in-person learning for all DPS students. Jones has been a key strategic partner with several city initiatives, including the My Brother’s Keeper initiative which seeks to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color. With this appointment I am confident that the DPS Board of Education is taking its commitment to improving their relationship with the superintendent and community seriously, and I look forward to supporting Dwight Jones and the board as they manage this transition.”